Bush and ‘Burbs: Perth star Joel Curtis could break historic first-grade cricket run-scoring record

The West Australian sports reporter Jackson Barrett takes a look at what’s happening in the country and amateur leagues around WA in his weekly column. Joel on a roll Joel Curtis’ Premier Cricket season with Perth is becoming ridiculous. The West Australian Sheffield Shield wicket-keeper is on track to smash the club’s record for most runs in a season and could have the most prodigious first-grade season on record. Curtis has scored 562 runs at an average of 112.4. Perth’s record currently belongs to captain Jono Wells, who broke a 120-year club record when he scored 1059 at a remarkable average of 105.9 in their drought-breaking 2023 premiership season. That record had belonged to Ernie Parker’s 1902-1903 campaign, where he scored 1003 runs, including an unbeaten 233 against East Fremantle at the WACA Ground. Parker played 13 first-class matches for WA between 1905 and 1910, but was most famous for winning the 1913 Australian Open tennis single’s title. He also won the doubles twice and made another singles final in 1909. The most runs in a season by a player at any of the active Premier Cricket clubs was former England Test star Robin Smith at South Perth, who scored 1188 in 1987-88. Curtis made 112 off 120 balls against Scarborough at the weekend on the opening day of his 100th first grade match for Perth. It continues a remarkable season where he has made scores of 55, 100, 68, 101, 136 and 100 in first-grade matches. He also scored 122 in a Twenty20 match against Midland-Guildford. Curtis, who has played five Sheffield Shield matches for WA, has seven matches left in the new year to break those records. Stunning figures Pegs Creek needed just two bowlers to roll through Dampier Taverners and just over seven overs to chase down their score in the West Pilbara Cricket Association grand final last weekend. That’s because Pegs Creek seamer Ben Cattani took 8-11 from his seven overs to skittle Taverners for 39. Cattani rattled through both opposition openers, had batters four through six all out for ducks and took two other wickets in one of the great grand final performances. Pegs Creek were three wickets down when they reached the victory target off just seven overs. Brayden Blackwell took the other two wickets for the premiers. But they weren’t the only mind-blowing figures taken this month. Gosnells first-grade bowler Cameron Sawatzky took 5-5 from 20 overs on the opening day of their two-day clash with Wanneroo, including an eye-watering 17 maidens. The opening bowler went at an economy of 0.25 as they cleaned up the Roos for 105 in 65 overs at Kingsway on Saturday. Gosnells still have a bit of work to do, finishing the opening day at 4-74.

Bush and ‘Burbs: Perth star Joel Curtis could break historic first-grade cricket run-scoring record

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